Gospel Principles
Unit 5: The Church of Jesus Christ
Chapter 13: The Priesthood
Concept 3: How Do Men Receive the Priesthood
"The Lord has prepared an orderly way for his priesthood to be given to his sons on the earth. A worthy male member of the Church receives the priesthood "by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof." (Articles of Faith 1:5).
This is the same way men received the priesthood long ago, even in the days of Moses: "And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron." (Hebrews 5:4). Aaron received the priesthood from Moses, his priesthood leader (Exodus 28:1 "And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons."). Only those who hold the priesthood can ordain others.
Men cannot buy and sell the power and authority of the priesthood. Nor can they take this authority upon themselves. In the New Testament we read of a man named Simon who lived when Christ's Apostles presided over the Church. Simon became converted and was baptized into the Church. Because he was a skillful magician, the people believed he had the power of God. But Simon did not have the priesthood, and he knew it.
Simon knew that the Apostles and the other priesthood leaders of the Church had the true power of God. He saw them use their priesthood to do the Lord's work, and he wanted this power for himself. He offered to buy the priesthood. (see Acts 8:9-19) But Peter, the chief Apostle, said, "thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money." (Acts 8:20).
Fifth Article of Faith: "We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof."
Discussion
Who is Given the Priesthood? How is it given?
Who may ordain a worthy male member of the Church to the priesthood."